Social enterprise Cà Phê Vietnamese Coffee House (Cà Phê) is sweetening up its menu with the launch of four limited-edition Bánh Boxes, created in partnership with renowned baker Maj Yee. The curated collection features modern takes on classic, Vietnamese and Filipino childhood favourites, including shortbread, cakes, and desserts.
“As immigrants, Maj and I wanted to pay tribute to our respective cultures and demonstrate our love for our Asian-Canadian identities with the Bánh Box,” says Minna Van, founder of Cà Phê Vietnamese Coffee House. “The word Bánh has special meaning to me as it represents a traditional Vietnamese cake I enjoyed while growing up. This box represents the use of simple ingredients to capture the unique culinary flavours of both our cultures in a modern, unique way. When I tried Maj’s signature coffee accompaniments, I knew we wanted to work with her. These pastries were made especially for Cà Phê.”
Maj Yee is known for her haute couture approach to patisserie. Her pastries, often a refined and elevated version of classic items, are all made-to-order.
Four different Bánh Boxes (starting at $18) will be rolled out each week, from July 7 to July 30, 2021. They can be pre-ordered online for pick-up. Each one highlights a variety of Yee’s signature, bespoke pastries, perfectly paired with Cà Phê’s coffees, including:
- Cà Phê Bar exclusively designed by Maj Yee – This three layer, decadent creation gives a nod to Filipino culture with coconut shortbread, Latin American culture with salted tres leches, and Vietnamese culture with Vietnamese coffee caramel and dark chocolate.
- Maj’s Cookies – A modern take on a soft and chewy nostalgic, childhood favourite with cinnamon and marshmallows.
- Bánh Bò (both steamed and baked versions) – An iconic Vietnamese sponge cake with an unmistakable honeycomb pandan-flavoured centre.
- Bánh Da Lợn – A popular Vietnamese steamed, gelatinous layered cake known for its sweet, chewy texture and distinct pandan and coconut flavours.
“It was a pleasure to work with Minna in creating pastries for their Bánh Box, all the while paying homage to our Vietnamese and Filipino heritages,” adds Yee. “Take for example the Ca Phe bar, designed exclusively for Ca Phe. I wanted to delight people with each bite – a harmony of cultures with coconut, tres leches, and coffee caramel flavours. Each pastry in the box is a gem, and we look forward to having them be enjoyed alongside some of Cà Phê’s authentic, Vietnamese coffee.”
The BánhBoxes can be pre-ordered online from Saturday to Monday for pick-up Wednesday to Friday at The Network Hub in Vancouver (#170-422 Richards Street).
For more information, please visit www.caphecoffeehouse.com.
